Founder’s Bio

Bishop S. E. Saunders is the Founding Pastor and Visionary of Lighthouse Christian Fellowship Center in Clayton, NC. He established this ministry in 1998, in Zebulon, NC. He was then led to relocate the ministry to its current location in the Red Hill Community of Clayton, NC. His mission is to minister to whole man (spirit, soul and body) by teaching and preaching the Word of God. Lighthouse is founded upon message of the Kingdom and focuses on the Word of Life – teaching individuals to live an abundantly fulfilled life in Christ.

A native of Winston-Salem, NC, Bishop Saunders accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at the age of 16 and relocated to Orangeburg/Darlington, SC. During this time, he served as the Youth Evangelist for Glorious Church of God under the leadership of the General Bishop, Bishop H.D. Wilson. His educational background includes graduating from Mayo High School in Darlington, SC, West Minister Seminary School and Grace Apostolic Theological Seminary in Nile, OH in which he received his Doctorate degree. Bishop Saunders taught Constitutional Law for Winston-Salem Teacher’s College (now Winston-Salem State University) in 1973 and was a Religion & Philosophy Professor at Shaw University for over 10 years. He was also a Constitutional Law Professor at a satellite location in Johnston County for Shaw University.

He has been ministering the Word of Life for over 50 years.

Bishop Saunders has established churches in the Winston-Salem, Goldsboro, Raleigh, Garner, Warsaw, Dudley and Smithfield, NC areas and is one of the founding bishops in the United Churches of Jesus Apostolic, holding the office of 3rd Presiding Bishop until 1990. One of the first churches he established was St. Paul Apostolic Church in Rudd, NC (located between Reidsville and Greensboro, NC). He has taught abroad and has help build many organizations.

In October 1960, Bishop Saunders married the former Bessie Mae Moorman and God richly blessed their union. Together, they would preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ across the nation and across the airwaves. Lady Bessie Saunders, a virtuous praying woman of God, truly epitomized a Proverbs 31 woman and was an example for women, both young and old, to follow.

Many years after she went on to be the Lord, he met and married the former Connie J. Herron. Lady Connie J. Saunders additionally serves on the Praise Team as well as the Judah Chorale Ensemble. She is a great support and helpmeet to Bishop Saunders. Together, they are the proud parents of 5 sons: Pastor Gary E. Saunders (Lady Elaine Saunders), the late Larry M. Saunders, Sammie E. Saunders, III and Pastor Darryl J. McClary (Lady Jessica McClary); 7 daughters: Avis Y. Ellis, Jacqueline O. Haynes, Tanesha Haynes, Jessica Haynes, Tonya Herron-Nails, Tracy Herron-Paul and Tamika Herron . They are proud grandparents and great grandparents.

Bishop Saunders continues to travel abroad, ministering across the country, preaching the Word of Life and the message of the Kingdom strongly this very day and continues to touch the lives of all he meets.

One Response

Praise The LORD Bishop Saunders, This Is Your Son Michael V. Robinson (Now Bishop Robinson) Who Was Under Your Excellent Tutelage At St. Paul Apostolic In Goldsboro, N.C. My Life Has Been Tremendously Blessed By The Legacy You Left For Me To Continue…I Speak of You Everywhere I Go & Have Gone Because You Are & Remain “My” Bishop Saunders…